Official – Tata Motors is keen on sub 4 metre segment; Manza CS in the making?

Posted on: Jan 28, 2013 - 2:23pm IST

The sub four metre sedan is of course the brain child of Tata Motors. The Tata Indigo CS was the first of its kind and it was later followed by the Maruti Swift Dzire.

The segment is proving to be a cash cow for whoever dared to exploit it. Mahindra and Honda are just few months away from introducing their respective sub four metre spinoffs. While the Mahindra’s product will be a chopped sedan, Honda’s contender, the Brio Amaze is essentially an hatchback with extruded boot.

Indian Autos Blog asked Mr. Ranjit Yadav, President of Tata’s passenger car business unit about the possibility of a sub four metre derivative based on the Vista platform which could sit in between the Vista and the Manza. Here is what Mr. Yadav had to say.

“The sub four metre (segment) is extremely important. Products in India can be world class and are world class…we are pretty clear in that segment and we will continue to drive that (segment). Of course, segments like this are attractive and lot of players come in which is good for the category…so yes, we are focused on the sub four metre (segment).”

Dr. Tim Leverton, head of engineering at Tata Motors responded to the same query by stating that, ” The emphasis will shift from having a four metre product to its effectiveness…I would say the strength of our’s (sub four metre product) is the package efficiency. We can play strongly in features creating an interesting sub four metre concept which gives good overall package not only in terms of dynamics and handling but also in terms of space.”

The statements add strength to the belief that Tata Motors is working on a Manza CS. When is the question which still remains to be answered.

As long as they produce poor spec feminine looking cars which appeal to Taxi drivers Tata will not improve its image or sales.

It needs a radical design rethink by hiring qualified , experienced auto designers outside of friend and family circle if it can afford to do so…

The Merc E Class is supposed to one of the best designed cars around but its also the most popular taxi in Germany and Mercedes now an uncles car image vis a vis BMW Audi…

Thus TAta should produce quality cars that appeal to the younger generation and ditch the Indi prefix though a name change alone will not change its image in industry if it agrees not to keep its word…

As a toddler, those wheeled machinery fascinated me even before I knew what they’re called as! So here I'm, petrolhead by birth, Mechanical engineer by qualification and automotive reporter by profession!